70% of the world's largest companies plan to spend more on efforts to combat climate change

80% plan to spend more on energy efficiency measures

65% plan to develop products and services related to climate change

63% pan to increase transparency of reporting on related areas such as environmental performance, energy use and carbon emissions

Nearly 50% plan to spend at least 0.5% of revenue on such measures as energy efficiency

The survey of 300 businesses in the US, China and 14 other countries included a cross-section of businesses, including airlines, banks, and general industry. All had at least $1B in revenues. Noted Doug Johnston, Ernst & Young's U.K. director of climate change and sustainability:

With all the uncertainty following Copenhagen, many business commentators were expecting the momentum in climate change investments to slow. Our research has shown something very different.

It's quite surprising that business is leading the way in addressing a serious environmental problem on which the public shows increasing confusion and ambivalence. It is tempting to think that business is perhaps starting to see the costs and benefits more clearly; however, it may be more about keeping customers happy than about the operational bottom line: about 90% of the surveyed firms reported that their actions were due to customer demand.